Brian Hoyt
@hoyty.com
Tech enthusiast for 40 years (yes I started young) who loves helping others with technology and playing video games. Find me almost anywhere as hoyty or hoyty76.
My #365games thread - https://bsky.app/profile/hoyty.com/post/3leuzhol27c2
My #365games thread - https://bsky.app/profile/hoyty.com/post/3leuzhol27c2
Half-Life 2
Honorable Mention to Halo 2 + Xbox Live Launch
Honorable Mention to Halo 2 + Xbox Live Launch
Quote this with your favourite game NOW that was released in 2004, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations/early access count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations/early access count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
December 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Half-Life 2
Honorable Mention to Halo 2 + Xbox Live Launch
Honorable Mention to Halo 2 + Xbox Live Launch
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
Quote this with your favourite game NOW that was released in 2005, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations/early access count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations/early access count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
December 28, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
Oldest computer at work I have still running is a Dell Optiplex 9020 with Intel 4570S and 8 GB of DDR3. Still running Windows Server and just upgraded it to 2025. Serve 2025 shares code base with Windows 11 24H2. This computer is very unsupported by Windows 11 but works fine in Server 2025.
December 21, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Oldest computer at work I have still running is a Dell Optiplex 9020 with Intel 4570S and 8 GB of DDR3. Still running Windows Server and just upgraded it to 2025. Serve 2025 shares code base with Windows 11 24H2. This computer is very unsupported by Windows 11 but works fine in Server 2025.
Mass Effect 2
I have replayed Halo Reach more but it is short comparitively.
I have replayed Halo Reach more but it is short comparitively.
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2010, if you had one, and what you would say your favourite game of 2010 is now, if it differs
Localisations and early access count, remasters and ports don't. Remakes depend
Refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations and early access count, remasters and ports don't. Remakes depend
Refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
December 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Mass Effect 2
I have replayed Halo Reach more but it is short comparitively.
I have replayed Halo Reach more but it is short comparitively.
I watched this Avatar: Fire and Ash in 3D IMAX. I am not 100% sure but I think it was in dynamic high frame rate. That fact really broke my brain throughout the film. Every time it switched to 48 fps I felt like I was watching a video game cutscene more than a movie.
December 21, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I watched this Avatar: Fire and Ash in 3D IMAX. I am not 100% sure but I think it was in dynamic high frame rate. That fact really broke my brain throughout the film. Every time it switched to 48 fps I felt like I was watching a video game cutscene more than a movie.
Thanks to @batariangal.bsky.social posts about GOTY linking to Backloggd I went and updated my account there. Added almost all the games I played for last two years. I am a pretty monogamous gamer, about one a month.
bckl.gg/qd5n
bckl.gg/qd5n
December 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Thanks to @batariangal.bsky.social posts about GOTY linking to Backloggd I went and updated my account there. Added almost all the games I played for last two years. I am a pretty monogamous gamer, about one a month.
bckl.gg/qd5n
bckl.gg/qd5n
Mass Effect 3
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2012, if you had one, and what you would say your favourite game of 2012 is now, if it differs
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
December 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Mass Effect 3
Portal 2 easy
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2011, if you had one, and what you would say your favourite game of 2011 is now, if it differs
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
December 20, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Portal 2 easy
Rise of the Tomb Raider would be it for me.
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2015, if you had one, and what you would say your favourite game of 2015 is now, if it differs
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher here: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher here: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
December 19, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Rise of the Tomb Raider would be it for me.
This one is tough. Several games that were released in 2013 I didn't play until much later when they were ported or re-released. That year it was either Bioshock Infinite or Splinter Cell Blacklist.
Looking back it would now be LEGO City Undercover or Last of Us. I played LEGO : CU with my son lots
Looking back it would now be LEGO City Undercover or Last of Us. I played LEGO : CU with my son lots
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2013, if you had one, and what you would say your favourite game of 2013 is now, if it differs
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
December 19, 2025 at 9:21 PM
This one is tough. Several games that were released in 2013 I didn't play until much later when they were ported or re-released. That year it was either Bioshock Infinite or Splinter Cell Blacklist.
Looking back it would now be LEGO City Undercover or Last of Us. I played LEGO : CU with my son lots
Looking back it would now be LEGO City Undercover or Last of Us. I played LEGO : CU with my son lots
Like the last two console generations, Naughty Dog will close out the PS5 generation.
PS3 - Last of Us
PS4 / Pro - Last of Us 2
PS5 / Pro - Intergalactic
I guess we will all wait for the PS6 update to come out? Maybe it will at least utilize the Pro?
PS3 - Last of Us
PS4 / Pro - Last of Us 2
PS5 / Pro - Intergalactic
I guess we will all wait for the PS6 update to come out? Maybe it will at least utilize the Pro?
Like the last two console generations, Naughty Dog will close out the PS5 generation.
PS3 - Last of Us
PS4 / Pro - Last of Us 2
PS5 / Pro - Intergalactic
I guess we will all wait for the PS6 update to come out? Maybe it will at least utilize the Pro?
PS3 - Last of Us
PS4 / Pro - Last of Us 2
PS5 / Pro - Intergalactic
I guess we will all wait for the PS6 update to come out? Maybe it will at least utilize the Pro?
December 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Like the last two console generations, Naughty Dog will close out the PS5 generation.
PS3 - Last of Us
PS4 / Pro - Last of Us 2
PS5 / Pro - Intergalactic
I guess we will all wait for the PS6 update to come out? Maybe it will at least utilize the Pro?
PS3 - Last of Us
PS4 / Pro - Last of Us 2
PS5 / Pro - Intergalactic
I guess we will all wait for the PS6 update to come out? Maybe it will at least utilize the Pro?
Either Hearthstone or Destiny. I can and have still played Hearthstone and I think Destiny is dead now.
Quote this with what you would have said your game of the year was at the end of 2014, if you had one, and what you would say your favourite game of 2014 is now, if it differs
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations and early access count, remasters don't. Remakes depend
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
December 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Either Hearthstone or Destiny. I can and have still played Hearthstone and I think Destiny is dead now.
That screamer ad lost me but got me back.
December 12, 2025 at 1:59 AM
That screamer ad lost me but got me back.
I knew I hadn't used my PS5 much this year but this is a bit extreme. I guess I only played on Xbox.
December 10, 2025 at 3:44 AM
I knew I hadn't used my PS5 much this year but this is a bit extreme. I guess I only played on Xbox.
It appears that in Explorer and Command Prompt Windows is somehow hiding .ISO files in the root of the C: drive. If I am using a very old app that is probably calling old Explorer UI it is visible but current UI it is hidden. I can't explain it any other way?
December 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
It appears that in Explorer and Command Prompt Windows is somehow hiding .ISO files in the root of the C: drive. If I am using a very old app that is probably calling old Explorer UI it is visible but current UI it is hidden. I can't explain it any other way?
I have finally fixed my parents computer due to this stupid WinRE bug.
Blockers included MFing Dell and their default of Intel RST instead of SATA. Had to change to SATA so I could access from setup and then change back to boot properly.
Removing bitlocker from the drive now so never again.
Blockers included MFing Dell and their default of Intel RST instead of SATA. Had to change to SATA so I could access from setup and then change back to boot properly.
Removing bitlocker from the drive now so never again.
It gets worse. I went to get the recovery key. The site wants to send a text message to the only phone number on file for my parents, their home phone. ARGH! Now I have to wait 30 days for a security information update on their Microsoft Account to their cell number.
Help - My Parents computer is booting to the bitlocker key screen after a power outage. Unfortunately, it seems to be suffering from the WinRE bug related to KB/Mouse.
www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/18/m...
They are 3000 miles away. Can I boot from USB and repair bitlocker that way?
www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/18/m...
They are 3000 miles away. Can I boot from USB and repair bitlocker that way?
November 27, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I have finally fixed my parents computer due to this stupid WinRE bug.
Blockers included MFing Dell and their default of Intel RST instead of SATA. Had to change to SATA so I could access from setup and then change back to boot properly.
Removing bitlocker from the drive now so never again.
Blockers included MFing Dell and their default of Intel RST instead of SATA. Had to change to SATA so I could access from setup and then change back to boot properly.
Removing bitlocker from the drive now so never again.
DRAM prices are crazy.
Feb 2022 - per each 16 GB kit - $70
Oct 2024 - per each 32 GB kit - $60 (more than half less in 2 years)
Nov 2025 - per each 16 GB kit - $90 (3x per GB more expensive in one year)
This is DDR4, DDR5 is even worse. Glad I don't need any RAM right now.
Feb 2022 - per each 16 GB kit - $70
Oct 2024 - per each 32 GB kit - $60 (more than half less in 2 years)
Nov 2025 - per each 16 GB kit - $90 (3x per GB more expensive in one year)
This is DDR4, DDR5 is even worse. Glad I don't need any RAM right now.
November 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
DRAM prices are crazy.
Feb 2022 - per each 16 GB kit - $70
Oct 2024 - per each 32 GB kit - $60 (more than half less in 2 years)
Nov 2025 - per each 16 GB kit - $90 (3x per GB more expensive in one year)
This is DDR4, DDR5 is even worse. Glad I don't need any RAM right now.
Feb 2022 - per each 16 GB kit - $70
Oct 2024 - per each 32 GB kit - $60 (more than half less in 2 years)
Nov 2025 - per each 16 GB kit - $90 (3x per GB more expensive in one year)
This is DDR4, DDR5 is even worse. Glad I don't need any RAM right now.
So true and so scary
November 22, 2025 at 6:48 PM
So true and so scary
Check out #MyXboxStory at @TrueAchievement www.trueachievements.com/my-xbox-stor...
The only problem is the most played game is totally wrong. Definitely not Peggle 2 unless I somehow left Xbox on for a week on that game.
The only problem is the most played game is totally wrong. Definitely not Peggle 2 unless I somehow left Xbox on for a week on that game.
Hoyty76's #MyXboxStory
Check out Hoyty76's lifetime Xbox stats
www.trueachievements.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Check out #MyXboxStory at @TrueAchievement www.trueachievements.com/my-xbox-stor...
The only problem is the most played game is totally wrong. Definitely not Peggle 2 unless I somehow left Xbox on for a week on that game.
The only problem is the most played game is totally wrong. Definitely not Peggle 2 unless I somehow left Xbox on for a week on that game.
It is interesting to see what Microsoft / Activision games have been added to Battle.net. It is an odd mix of Obsidian, id (Bethesda) and Activision.
Also, I would label
Avowed - First-person Fantasy Action RPG
Outer Worlds 2 - First-person Sci-Fi Action RPG
Also, I would label
Avowed - First-person Fantasy Action RPG
Outer Worlds 2 - First-person Sci-Fi Action RPG
November 20, 2025 at 3:15 AM
It is interesting to see what Microsoft / Activision games have been added to Battle.net. It is an odd mix of Obsidian, id (Bethesda) and Activision.
Also, I would label
Avowed - First-person Fantasy Action RPG
Outer Worlds 2 - First-person Sci-Fi Action RPG
Also, I would label
Avowed - First-person Fantasy Action RPG
Outer Worlds 2 - First-person Sci-Fi Action RPG
This looks like a CD/DVD-Rom drive with a huge heat sink / fan attached. Kind of funny.
November 13, 2025 at 2:23 AM
This looks like a CD/DVD-Rom drive with a huge heat sink / fan attached. Kind of funny.
In case you are using Microsoft Edge Dev builds it seems that tab preview is broken and crashed the browser on this build.
November 6, 2025 at 6:15 PM
In case you are using Microsoft Edge Dev builds it seems that tab preview is broken and crashed the browser on this build.
Can we pre-schedule our bailout please?
I guess at least they are planning ahead.
I guess at least they are planning ahead.
BREAKING: OpenAI is requesting US government support to help guarantee financing for the massive investments in AI chips and data centers it needs for expansion, per Bloomberg.
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Can we pre-schedule our bailout please?
I guess at least they are planning ahead.
I guess at least they are planning ahead.
What amazing communication.
11:11 AM - Hey a thing
12:04 PM - Reminder of thing
12:06 PM - Thing closing soon.
11:11 AM - Hey a thing
12:04 PM - Reminder of thing
12:06 PM - Thing closing soon.
November 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM
What amazing communication.
11:11 AM - Hey a thing
12:04 PM - Reminder of thing
12:06 PM - Thing closing soon.
11:11 AM - Hey a thing
12:04 PM - Reminder of thing
12:06 PM - Thing closing soon.
I am not excited about the new Xbox Game Pass $360 pricing. I will share the games I have played that were all on Game Pass.
Ball x Pit
Deep Rock Galactic Survivor
Gears of War: Reloaded
Doom: The Dark Ages
South of Midnight
Atomfall
Avowed
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Ball x Pit
Deep Rock Galactic Survivor
Gears of War: Reloaded
Doom: The Dark Ages
South of Midnight
Atomfall
Avowed
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
October 23, 2025 at 11:05 PM
I am not excited about the new Xbox Game Pass $360 pricing. I will share the games I have played that were all on Game Pass.
Ball x Pit
Deep Rock Galactic Survivor
Gears of War: Reloaded
Doom: The Dark Ages
South of Midnight
Atomfall
Avowed
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Ball x Pit
Deep Rock Galactic Survivor
Gears of War: Reloaded
Doom: The Dark Ages
South of Midnight
Atomfall
Avowed
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle